Blood drive taking place at Milwaukee County Zoo

Wisconsin Blood Center says all types needed

A young girl is touched by all the people who are rolling up their sleeves and donating blood to help people like her.

A blood drive is taking place at the Milwaukee County Zoo. The two-day event is put on every year by the Blood Center of Wisconsin.

Sophie Robinson, 11, showed up Thursday.

She was born with a rare disorder that required multiple surgeries, several units of blood and a complete transfusion.

"It kind of reminds me that how like, there's hope, in like, the future, and like, how people help each other, and like, maybe one of these people donated their blood to me without me even knowing," Robinson said.

"I was here visiting the zoo with my granddaughter and saw this and decided to donate blood," blood donor Mark Cavanaugh said.

The Blood Center said blood is needed after last week's snowstorm led to fewer donations.

It's hoping at least 700 donors will show up at the drive Thursday and Friday.

The center said all blood types are needed, but there's a great need for Type O-negative and platelet donors.

The blood drive at the zoo is going on until 7 p.m. Thursday and will run from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Friday.

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